Eighteen people were killed on Saturday when four suicide bombers detonated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Gwoza, Borno State, according to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
This attack, one of the deadliest in the state in recent months, injured more than 30 people, with injuries ranging from abdominal ruptures to skull and limb fractures.
Barkindo Saidu, the Director-General of SEMA, reported witnessing the first blast.
“Around 3pm, in my presence, the first bomb exploded, set off by a female suicide bomber in the midst of a wedding celebration,” he wrote in a situation report.
“It affected more than 30 people, causing various levels of injuries and instant deaths. Minutes later, another explosion occurred near the General Hospital.”
The wedding took place at Tashan Mararaba near the Fire Service in Gwoza town.
A survivor mentioned that the first bomber was carrying a baby on her back when she detonated the IED at the venue.
As people gathered to bury those killed at the wedding, Saidu reported that a third bomber, a woman, set off another IED, causing numerous casualties.
While emergency officials were coordinating the rescue mission at the hospital, a fourth blast was triggered by a teenage girl.
“So far, the 18 fatalities include children, adult males, females, and pregnant women. Nineteen seriously injured individuals were transported to Maiduguri in four ambulances,” Saidu stated.
At the time of his report, 23 people were waiting for military escort at the Medical Regimental Services (MRS) Clinic.
Evacuation of the injured continued into the night, with the SEMA DG coordinating the process from Gwoza.
Saidu also mentioned receiving a report of a suspected suicide bomber in Pulka but did not provide further details.
In response to the attacks, the military has imposed a curfew in Gwoza LGA.